(Former) Geox-TMC plans merger with US team – a future for the team and Cobo? (update)
UPDATE, 25 DECEMBER
Tamayo of UnitedHealthcare confirms to Cyclingnews there were indeed talks with Gianetti en Matxin. (Source)
UPDATE
Shane Stokes of Velonation spoke to Joxean Matxin. The Spanish director denies the rumours. “We have nothing to report,” he emphasizes.
ORIGINAL POST
A bombshell by El Periodico journalist @sergi_lopezegea on twitter this afternoon. Juanjo Cobo has ended negociations with Team Movistar because there might be a future for (former) Geox-TMC.
Team director Joxean Matxin has a fighting spirit and revealed earlier this week that he wouldn’t quit till the very end. This seems to be coming true because Sergi Lopez-Egea reveals that there might be an upcoming merger with an American team.
As Vuelta director Javier Guillén said earlier this week: “I don’t care where Cobo rides, we want to have him in La Vuelta.” A merger which includes Juanjo Cobo would therefore mean a direct wildcard for the Spanish Grand Tour. It gives Matxin some great bargaining space.
Only Procontinental team can get a wildcard for Grand Tours of WorldTour races in general so that leaves two options: the incredible ambitious UnitedHealthcare (with Dutch riders Marc de Maar and Kai Raus) or Team Type 1 – Sanofi.
It’s early stages and I am waiting for some confirmation but I have been told the source is credible.
Will keep you posted!
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